John Wick: Chapter 2 Review; An intense adrenaline rush, better than the original

The sequel lives up to high expectations and is even better than the original John Wick (2014). This time around Wick is forced out of retirement to take on a job in Italy. At first reluctant, he goes through when he sees the repercussions. On the job he runs into an old friend, Cassian (Common) who serves as a roadblock. Afterwards, Wick finds himself in trouble overseas when an international hit is placed on him.

Wick and Cassian’s fight is a “pound for pound” slugfest that gets interrupted in a humorous scene only to get picked up again on a train. This sequence is one of the best in this movie franchise as Common (Smokin’ Aces and Wanted) delivers bringing the character alive as a grim bodyguard that won’t go down easy to Wick. Hands down Common’s best performance yet in an action movie.

Ruby Rose (Resident Evil: The Final Chapter and xXx: Return of Xander Cage) does justice to the character Ares, literally and figuratively giving a speechless performance. The sign language using villain makes several nonverbal threats to Wick setting up an intense fight later. Playing the character to perfection, Rose embodied the emotions of this character so well that if you didn’t know sign language you may have still thought the subtitles were unnecessary.

The locations in this film were priceless. The best came when Wick was busy taking down enemies in a mirrored room using jiu jitsu, while loaded with an assault rifle and pistol navigating his way through the area. Disarming, reloading and punching the lights out of each person who stood in his away, he done so in a rhythmic fashion, while strategically making sure the mirrored glass didn’t fool him.

Keanu Reeves was Keanu Reeves (The Matrix and Speed), the actor who never disappoints, especially when leading as the action protagonist. As Wick, he’s cool and cruel with smashing executions that will make you drool thinking “did he just do what I thought he did?” Before you can even answer that question he’s on to the next henchman standing in his way.

This adrenaline rushing film moves so fast that you wish the third installment would come out the following week, especially when you see the film’s ending.

Be sure to check this movie out early as you’ll probably want to see this again on the big screen before purchasing on Blu-ray.